What I'm Loving on Monday - Baking Cupcakes

[These cupcakes look a lot like the ones I made/am making. They are not mine though. Coincidentally, I also own that bird tray these tasty treats are sitting on in the photo. Wild!]

Baking Cupcakes

Over the weekend, I celebrated the 30th birthday of a very dear friend of mine. I'd been itching to whip up a little tasty treat, but didn't have an excuse to do so until his big day. I wanted to make something I knew he'd love and be pleasantly surprised with. Your average white-frosting-on-chocolate cake just wouldn't do.

Partly inspired by Iron Cupcake Milwaukee's recent bacon challenge and partly by my friend's supreme love of bacon and quirky food combinations, I Googled up what looked to be the perfect birthday indulgence for him: Maple-bacon cupcakes. 

The dude loves maple syrup. The dude loves bacon. Everyone loves cupcakes. Win, win, win. Right?

Right.

I don't mean to toot my own proverbial horn but imagine the perfection that McDonald's created with the McGriddle and then plop some sweet sugary frosting on top. And then multiply the tastiness times five. I know I try to promote a fit, healthy lifestyle, but sometimes you just have to give in and treat yourself to something sinful. And the maple-bacon cupcake is one heavenly sin.

The batch I made did not make it past Sunday mid-morning. However, my boyfriend had already told some of his co-workers about the concoction I was making, and they all seemed really excited to try it. Being the people-pleaser that I am, I must deliver the goods to the total strangers. So, here I am, on a Monday night, baking up another batch of maple-bacon cupcakes for a group of people I do not know. 

I'm going to be the most popular girl at the office where I do not work.

But that's fine with me. I actually really enjoy baking, and the only time I allow myself to do so is around Christmas. So I'm glad I get the chance to make something that's going to make someone happy, if only for just a short time.

Try the recipe I used in the link above, and if you make them, please let me know how they turn out!